Harmonic Inc. (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that ASTRA Platform Services GmbH (APS), a subsidiary of SES ASTRA (LX: SESG), has selected Harmonic’s internationally acclaimed DiviCom® Electra® 7000 high definition (HD) encoders and DiviTrackIP™ statistical multiplexing for a network upgrade designed to substantially enhance and expand its HD MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) service. APS operates one of Europe’s most modern satellite broadcast centers, transmitting over 200 television and audio channels to subscribers throughout Europe from its headend in Germany. As a result of this upgrade, APS is able to strengthen its service portfolio while delivering unparalleled HD picture quality at very efficient bit-rates.
APS was Germany’s first playout center to offer HDTV as a regular service. SES ASTRA is Europe’s leading satellite broadcaster, delivering services to more than 117 million direct-to-home and cable households. Harmonic’s high performance encoding and IP-based statistical multiplexing solutions enable APS to combine multiple MPEG-4 AVC HD channels in a single pool, resulting in more efficient use of network capacity and reduced operational complexity. In addition, APS is now able to multiplex standard definition (SD) and high definition channels together in a shared statistical multiplex pool, resulting in greater flexibility and scalability of the channel line-up.
“Over the years, Harmonic has been a valued solution provider for our standard definition TV infrastructure, and has also helped us to increase the performance and availability of our digital television service,” said Jörg Eich, VP DVB/CA, APS. “In 2005, APS achieved a key milestone in the rollout of HDTV in Germany, and we completed a rigorous selection process for the HD service upgrade. Harmonic continues to demonstrate that they are able to provide very flexible high performance solutions, which can be seamlessly integrated into our infrastructure.”
Harmonic’s industry-leading DiviCom Electra 7000 HD encoders, ProStream™ 1000 stream processing platform and DiviTrackIP™ statistical multiplexing were deployed by APS as part of this upgrade. Harmonic’s NMX Digital Service Manager™ provides APS with comprehensive system monitoring and control.
“APS is a pioneer in satellite broadcast services in Europe and we are proud to be able to now also supply them with the latest in HD MPEG-4 technology,” said Jean-Christophe Morizur, Director of Digital Video Product Marketing for Harmonic Inc. “Harmonic has been advancing the state of the art in video technologies for twenty years. Our IP-based DiviCom Electra encoders are preferred by leading service providers around the world, and today power nearly 1,800 HD H.264 channels. The Electra 7000 HD encoder offers uncompromised HD video quality at ultra-low bit-rates, enabling customers such as APS to seamlessly upgrade their networks, expand channel capacity, and deliver the best in HD television to their clients.”
The multi-service Electra 7000 encoder delivers up to four channels of full resolution video alongside four simultaneous low resolution outputs for applications such as picture-in-picture and multi-channel mosaics. The platform’s design efficiency saves considerable rack space while significantly lowering power consumption and costs. DiviTrackIP, the world’s first distributed statistical multiplexing solution, gives operators more flexibility and reduces operational expenditures while further enhancing compression efficiency.
About ASTRA Platform Services GmbH
APS ASTRA Platform Services GmbH based in Unterföhring near Munich, Germany, operates one of the most modern broadcasting centers in Europe, providing a wide range of services including digital archiving, multiplexing, satellite uplinks and internet streaming to broadcasters.
APS broadcasts about 200 TV and radio programmes as well as more than 60 data services in analogue and digital transmission techniques.
In addition, APS offers a comprehensive spectrum of services supporting broadcasting operations, such as signal processing in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 standards for high definition television transmission as well as the playout of applications and software downloads. The wide variety of technologies enables the company to provide tailor-made solutions.
About Harmonic Inc.
Harmonic Inc. is a leading provider of versatile and high performance video solutions that enable service providers to efficiently deliver the next generation of broadcast and on-demand services including high definition, video-on-demand, network personal video recording and time-shifted TV. Cable, satellite, broadcast and telecom service providers can increase revenues and lower operational expenditures by using Harmonic’s digital video, broadband optical access and software solutions to offer consumers the compelling and personalized viewing experience that is driving the business models of the future.
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with R&D, sales and system integration centers worldwide. The Company’s customers, including many of the world’s largest communications providers, deliver services in virtually every country. Visit www.harmonicinc.com for more information.
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27(A) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements related to: a network upgrade designed to substantially enhance and expand APS’ HD MPEG-4 (H.264) service.
Our expectations and beliefs regarding the capabilities of Harmonic’s Electra 7000 encoders and DiviTrack statistical multiplexing and the anticipated benefits to APS may not materialize, and actual results could differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Harmonic’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its recent Reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Harmonic does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.
Note: Product and company names used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
